Draft Profile: Ian McCoshen

The 2013 Entry Draft has a plethora big defencemen who can move well. While he’s not one of the big names that jump out on that list, Ian McCoshen is another player cut out of that mould.

Despite not possessing a lot of flash, McCoshen had a solid year offensively with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL. In 53 games for Waterloo, the 6-foot-2, 207 pound defender posted 44 points in 55 games during the regular season and added four points in five games during the playoffs. He has committed to Boston College for 2013-14.

McCoshen is another big body who is calm on the puck and steady on his feet. He is adept at separating the puck from offensive players and turning up ice with it. When he has the puck on his stick, he is a smart player who reads the play well and makes a good pass out of his zone. He is a very good skater which gives him a way to get out of trouble on his own if he needs to.

As far as shortcomings in his game, McCoshen doesn’t have many. He isn’t as physical as you’d like a player of his size to be, but he still leverages his frame well. Offensively, while he is adept, his game doesn’t project as much of a threat from the blueline at the next level. Essentially, he is a solid all-around prospect, but just doesn’t have to tools for the spectacular.

With what he brings to the table, McCoshen looks like a future minute eating defensive defenceman. He will be a player you can trust to play a shutdown role and keep your team out of trouble, while occasionally pitching in on offence. Assuming all goes to plan in his development, he may not win a Norris Trophy but he will be a solid NHL defender for a long time.

Expect McCoshen to be a mid-to-late first round pick for a team looking to add to their defensive cupboard.